RANGELAND MONITORING RANGELAND MONITORING

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RANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELAND

MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING

RANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELANDRANGELAND

MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING MONITORING

Michelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management Technician

Shoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National Forest

Michelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyMichelle BuzalskyRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management TechnicianRangeland Management Technician

Shoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National ForestShoshone National Forest

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Rangeland Monitoring is the orderly

collection, analysis, and

interpretation of resource

information and data used to make

both short-term and long-term

management decisions.

Rangeland Monitoring is the orderly

collection, analysis, and

interpretation of resource

information and data used to make

both short-term and long-term

management decisions.

Here is the basic definition of range monitoring. Notice that analysis and interpretation are

an important part of the definiton, and that the end result is decision making. It is not

enough to take pictures or run transects without spending time thinking about what the data

tells you, and then adjusting your management appropriately.

We’ll discuss the question of what monitoring is in further detail a little later in the

presentation.

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Why MonitorWhy Monitor

• Determine if management

objectives are realistic and

achievable.

• Determine if grazing

management strategy meets

goals for resource and

livestock conditions.

• Determine if management

objectives are realistic and

achievable.

• Determine if grazing

management strategy meets

goals for resource and

livestock conditions.

Before spending a lot of time on the details of monitoring, it’s important to consider why we

monitor. What are the benefits?

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Why MonitorWhy Monitor

• Provide a record of resource and

environmental conditions

• Assist producers in managing

livestock

• To evaluate when management

strategy changes are needed to

better meet identified objectives.

• Provide a record of resource and


• Assist producers in managing

livestock

• To evaluate when management

strategy changes are needed to

better meet identified objectives.

Many Permittees and Agency Managers have made the comment that monitoring provides

them with a way to document their decision-making procedure. Some refer to this as being

able to document their stewardship. So, if someone comes along and questions their

management decisions, they can pull out this record and say, “here’s what we decided the

area should look like, here’s the management actions we have taken and here is the

information and data that suggested we do what we did.”

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Monitoring Is…Monitoring Is…

• An on-going process.

• Done to determine whether

progress is being made

toward achieving objectives.

• An on-going process.

• Done to determine whether

progress is being made

toward achieving objectives.

Back to the discussion of What is Monitoring.

Monitoring is a commitment, because it is an ongoing process that involves data collection, analysis,

interpretation, and decision making.

The central goal of monitoring is to determine whether progress is being made toward achieving

objectives. Of course, we all want to make good management decisions and these are the ones that

are consistent with the objectives set for a given area. This assumes that objectives have been

established.

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ObjectivesObjectives

• Objectives describe what we want the

ground to look like.

• Good objectives

– plant community or natural resource based

– include input from agencies, operators and

society’s needs

• Objectives are directly tied to the system’s

response(s) to

– our management inputs

–Mother Nature’s inputs

• Objectives describe what we want the

ground to look like.

• Good objectives

– plant community or natural resource based

– include input from agencies, operators and

society’s needs

• Objectives are directly tied to the system’s

response(s) to

– our management inputs

–Mother Nature’s inputs

For Public lands, objectives and goals are driven by the Management or Forest Plan,

Allotment Management Plan and the Annual Operating Instructions. For Private lands these

objectives will be driven by the landowners goals and objectives. Overall goals and

objectives can be done by a team made up of the landowner, NRCS, Extension, Agency, or

other interested entity.

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• The system’s response(s) are the stuff of Long Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term Monitoring

• The inputs (our management

decisions and Mother Nature’s

constraints) provide much of

what we collect as

Short Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term Monitoring

• The system’s response(s) are the stuff of Long Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term MonitoringLong Term Monitoring

• The inputs (our management

decisions and Mother Nature’s

constraints) provide much of

what we collect as

Short Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term MonitoringShort Term Monitoring

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LONGLONGLONGLONG----TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGLONGLONGLONGLONG--------TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORING

• The measurement of changes in

plant community composition,

cover, structure; and soil resource

conditions over time

• It is critical to detect changes in the

rangeland early enough to make

necessary adjustments in grazing

management practices.

• The measurement of changes in

plant community composition,

cover, structure; and soil resource

conditions over time

• It is critical to detect changes in the

rangeland early enough to make

necessary adjustments in grazing

management practices.

Long-Term Monitoring:

System responses –

How has the plant community changed?

Is there more or less bare ground?

What species are increasing in the community?

What species are decreasing?

How is the soil changing?

Is erosion occurring?

Are we making progress toward our objective?

Examples

Permanent photo points

Cover by Life Form

Greenline Stability

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SHORTSHORTSHORTSHORT----TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGSHORTSHORTSHORTSHORT----TERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORINGTERM MONITORING

• The measurement of annual

conditions, events, or management

practices that have an influence on

rangeland conditions.

• Helps the producer determine when,

where, and how to move livestock.

• Helpful in explaining changes

measured during long-term monitoring.

• The measurement of annual

conditions, events, or management

practices that have an influence on

rangeland conditions.

• Helps the producer determine when,

where, and how to move livestock.

• Helpful in explaining changes

measured during long-term monitoring.

Short-term monitoring:

Measuring management and environmental factors.

-What were the frequency, intensity, and duration of grazing?

-Was this a wet or dry year?

-What was the impact of wildlife?

How might this year’s events affect our progress toward our objectives?

How might the system respond to these events?

Examples:

-Annual Use Levels

-Pasture rotations

-Weather

-Landscape appearance

-Stubble height

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Where To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To Monitor

• Key Areas that represent

larger management areas.

• Special Areas (critical areas)

• Key Areas that represent

larger management areas.

• Special Areas (critical areas)

“Key areas are sampling units that characterize general range conditions over large areas

such as pastures or grazing allotments.” (Schalau 2001)

“Critical Areas are those containing special or unique values such as endangered species,

riparian habitats and fragile watersheds.”

(Schalau 2001)

Key areas are chosen based on how well they represent the larger area/pasture/allotment.

Key areas need to be consistent in vegetation type, slope, soils or ecological site description

area, etc.

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Where To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To MonitorWhere To Monitor

•Not practical to monitor every acre

•It is essential to select monitoring sites

that represent larger management areas.

•One or more key areas should be

established in each pasture or unit.

• Avoid areas such as fences, salt locations,

stock trails, ridges, or unused areas.

•Not practical to monitor every acre

•It is essential to select monitoring sites

that represent larger management areas.

•One or more key areas should be

established in each pasture or unit.

• Avoid areas such as fences, salt locations,

stock trails, ridges, or unused areas.

If each unit or pasture is predominately one veg type then one site will work. If the unit is a

mix of upland and riparian then one in each will work. Or the site may be made up of two

different upland types so one in each may be warrented.

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When To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To MonitorWhen To Monitor

• Before or pre-season use

• During the use period

• After or post-season use

• Consider time of grazing and browsing impacts to schedule monitoring activities

• The different types of info/data will need to be collected at different times throughout the season, this is not implying that everything needs done three times each season.

• Before or pre-season use

• During the use period

• After or post-season use

• Consider time of grazing and browsing impacts to schedule monitoring activities

• The different types of info/data will need to be collected at different times throughout the season, this is not implying that everything needs done three times each season.

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WYOMING RANGELAND MONITORING GUIDEWYOMING RANGELAND MONITORING GUIDE

•This guide represents

only a few of all the

monitoring tools available

in data gathering toolbox.

•They were selected

because they are generally

easy to use, require a

limited amount of time,

and tend to produce

consistently reliable

results.

•Individuals can easily

collect information that

may have a significant

effect on maintaining or

improving rangelands.

•This guide represents

only a few of all the

monitoring tools available

in data gathering toolbox.

•They were selected

because they are generally

easy to use, require a

limited amount of time,

and tend to produce

consistently reliable

results.

•Individuals can easily

collect information that

may have a significant

effect on maintaining or

improving rangelands.

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Monitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring Methods

•Site Information &

Location

•Photo Points

•Landscape Appearance

•Grazing Use maps

•Site Information &

Location

•Photo Points

•Landscape Appearance

•Grazing Use maps

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Monitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring MethodsMonitoring Methods

•Cover by Life Form

•Grazing Response

Index

•Stubble Height

•Greenline Stability

•Cover by Life Form

•Grazing Response

Index

•Stubble Height

•Greenline Stability

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When:

�Every time and Every place

that you monitorWhy:

�Record basic information about

the site including location, site

characteristics, pasture use,

and climatic conditions.

When:

�Every time and Every place

that you monitorWhy:

�Record basic information about

the site including location, site

characteristics, pasture use,

and climatic conditions.

SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION &

LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION

SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION & SITE INFORMATION &

LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION

Completed whenever/wherever that monitoring is done.

This basic information is used to compare data collected from different sites to prevent

inappropriate comparisons and conclusions.

The information described is basic and should not require significant scrutiny by the

observer.

Record any other pertinent info about the grazing system, range readiness, current plant

physiology, or other information worth capturing for future reference.

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PERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTSPERMANENT PHOTO POINTS

WhatWhatWhatWhat::::

�Sets of photos taken at the same

location and at the same stage of

plant growth over a span of

years.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

�Provide basic documentation of

range trend.


�Sets of photos taken at the same

location and at the same stage of

plant growth over a span of

years.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

�Provide basic documentation of

range trend.

Important to be:

consistent,

ID date and location,

take pictures during same stage of plant growth each year,

include skyline,

carefully relocate photo points each time

Should try to maintain consistency in camera type and documentation

Landscape photos should be taken from same designated point at approximately the same time of year

Photos that include a distinctive landmark in the background or on the horizon are easier to relocate

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Example of full set of 5 photos. Form is completed using electronic version.

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Special Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo PointsSpecial Area Photo Points


�Photos taken at an impacted

site or other special area.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

�Demonstrate resource recovery

or need to modify current

management.


�Photos taken at an impacted

site or other special area.WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

�Demonstrate resource recovery

or need to modify current

management.

A single photo from a permanently marked site of a impacted area can be very

effective in demonstrating resource recovery or the need to modify current

management.

Finding the location of an old photograph and retaking it can provide good

information on past use and trend of the site.

The next slide shows the recovery of a headcut or dugout area. In both sets of

photos note the increase/fill-in of vegetation depicting recovery occurring at each

site.

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‘99‘99

’06’06

‘99‘99

‘06‘06

SPECIAL AREA PHOTOSSPECIAL AREA PHOTOS

Bear Creek Allotment, Wind River Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest

Allotment changed permittees. Some mistakes that were made, like salting in this riparian

meadow, are now being tracked to see how the new management is effecting the recovery

of the salting area or this head cut area. The pictures tell the story.

This allotment uses a deferred rotation system and has active monitoring program.

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Things to Remember with Photo PointsThings to Remember with Photo Points

• Permanent Mark on the Ground.

• 1/3 photo sky,with a recognizable landmark in background.

• Repeat photos at same time of year.

• Pre-grazing and post-grazing.

• General view and close-up.

• Digital/35mm/Kodachrome/Kodacolor

• Permanent Mark on the Ground.

• 1/3 photo sky,with a recognizable landmark in background.

• Repeat photos at same time of year.

• Pre-grazing and post-grazing.

• General view and close-up.

• Digital/35mm/Kodachrome/Kodacolor

Repeated photographs taken at permanent locations are an effective and efficient method for monitoring

can provide basic documentation of range trend

Important to be: consistent, ID date and location, take pictures during same stage of plant growth each year, include skyline, and carefully relocate photo points each time

Should try to maintain consistency in camera type and documentation

Landscape photos should be taken from same designated point at approximately the same time of year

Photos that include a distinctive landmark in the background or on the horizon are easier to relocate

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LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE

APPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCE

LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE

APPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEAPPEARANCEWhatWhatWhatWhat::::

�An ocular estimate of forage

utilization based on the general

appearance of the rangelandWhyWhyWhyWhy::::

�Estimate general forage

utilization over a large area.


�An ocular estimate of forage

utilization based on the general

appearance of the rangelandWhyWhyWhyWhy::::

�Estimate general forage

utilization over a large area.

This method estimates general forage utilization.

It is especially helpful when grazing or browsing use must be estimated for large areas.

For this method, an ocular estimate of forage utilization is based on the general appearance of the rangeland.

Utilization levels are determined by comparing observations with the written utilization class descriptions.

Utilization estimates are evaluated against the standards, goals, or objectives for the area.

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GRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPSGRAZING USE MAPS


�A map of livestock utilization often

developed from landscape

appearance or stubble height

observations.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Identify key areas, distribution

problems, or management

opportunities.


�A map of livestock utilization often

developed from landscape

appearance or stubble height

observations.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Identify key areas, distribution

problems, or management

opportunities.

Very useful management tools.

Help to identify key areas, distribution problems, or management opportunities.

May also be used to modify the grazing management plan.

To map utilization, examine the grazing unit and sketch utilization patterns on the map.

Landscape appearance observations are often used to develop grazing use maps, Stubble Height can also be used.

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COVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORMCOVER BY LIFE FORM


� An estimation of the relative amounts

of different life forms (grasses, forbs,

shrubs, litter, moss/lichen, rock, bare

ground) on a site

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Repeating this data collection over

time (every 3 to 5 years) provides an

indication of trend on the site


� An estimation of the relative amounts

of different life forms (grasses, forbs,

shrubs, litter, moss/lichen, rock, bare

ground) on a site

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Repeating this data collection over

time (every 3 to 5 years) provides an

indication of trend on the site

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GRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEXGRAZING RESPONSE INDEX


� A method of rating the expected future response to grazing as positive, neutral, or negative based on the frequency and intensity of grazing and the opportunity for regrowth in the current grazing season.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Describe annual grazing use, interpret annual grazing effects, and plan the grazing pattern for the following year.


� A method of rating the expected future response to grazing as positive, neutral, or negative based on the frequency and intensity of grazing and the opportunity for regrowth in the current grazing season.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Describe annual grazing use, interpret annual grazing effects, and plan the grazing pattern for the following year.

Developed to describe annual grazing use, interpret annual grazing

effects, and to aid in planning the grazing pattern for the following year.

Understanding plant physiology and plant response to grazing is essential in the

development of unit management plans; with this there is a need for a monitoring tool that

adequately estimates rangeland use due to grazing

Must not only access how much of the plant was grazed but also when the plant was

grazed and how many times it was defoliated during the growing season

GRI is an effective tool to access grazing systems or complications associated with

situations such as early season big game use followed by livestock use

Consequently, GRI is based on general determinations of annual grazing use, and is not

intended to be the only method for resolving major conflicts.

GRI considers three key concepts related to plant health: frequency,

intensity, and opportunity

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GRAZING RESPONSE INDEX

GRAZING RESPONSE INDEX

• Frequency - the number of times plants are defoliated during grazing period

• Intensity – of defoliation is the amount of leaf material removed during grazing period (Utilization)

• Opportunity – is the amount of time plants have to grow prior to grazing or regrow after grazing.

• Frequency - the number of times plants are defoliated during grazing period

• Intensity – of defoliation is the amount of leaf material removed during grazing period (Utilization)

• Opportunity – is the amount of time plants have to grow prior to grazing or regrow after grazing.

Dependent on the length of time plants are exposed to grazing animals;Approx. 7-10 days required for a plant to re-grow enough to be grazed again during late spring or early summer when plants experiencing rapid growth

Utilization; the primary concern is the amount of photosynthetically active leaf material remaining for the plant to recover from grazing

Opportunity is the one factor most highly related to long term health and vigor of the vegetation

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STUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTWhatWhatWhatWhat::::

�Measures the average stubble height of

one to several key species, normally in a

riparian area.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Vegetation provides streambank

protection, traps sediments, contributes

to rebuilding degraded stream channels,

and ensures residual forage and habitat.


�Measures the average stubble height of

one to several key species, normally in a

riparian area.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Vegetation provides streambank

protection, traps sediments, contributes

to rebuilding degraded stream channels,

and ensures residual forage and habitat.

Vegetation provides streambank protection, traps sediments, contributes to rebuilding degraded stream channels, and ensures residual forage and habitat.

Retaining an adequate amount of standing herbaceous vegetation (stubble) along the streambanks and within the primary floodplain slows overland water flow velocity from winter and spring runoff, traps and retains sediments necessary to build and maintain streambanks.

Occurs on predetermined key species in key areas.

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STUBBLE HEIGHTSTUBBLE HEIGHTTrigger Monitoring

• An action is triggered when stubble height reaches a predetermined point

• 1 or more key species in key area

• Livestock are moved when reaches allowable stubble height

Trigger Monitoring

• An action is triggered when stubble height reaches a predetermined point

• 1 or more key species in key area

• Livestock are moved when reaches allowable stubble height

Residual Monitoring

• Conducted on sedge-rush communities along the greenlinefollowing grazing or growing season

• Actual remaining residual stubble height is compared to a defined allowable standard

Residual Monitoring

• Conducted on sedge-rush communities along the greenlinefollowing grazing or growing season

• Actual remaining residual stubble height is compared to a defined allowable standard

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GREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITY

The greenline is the first

perennial vegetation on

or near the waters edge

The greenline is the first

perennial vegetation on

or near the waters edge

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GREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITYGREENLINE STABILITY


� Observations are made of the community types located along the greenline of a stream reach in order to determine a stability rating.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Determine whether greenline vegetation is adequate to maintain a stable streambank.


� Observations are made of the community types located along the greenline of a stream reach in order to determine a stability rating.

WhyWhyWhyWhy::::

� Determine whether greenline vegetation is adequate to maintain a stable streambank.

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Other Monitoring MethodsNot in the Guide

Other Monitoring MethodsNot in the Guide

• Utilization cages

• Exclosures

• Cover Frequency

• Parker 3-Step

• Production (clipping)

• Utilization cages

• Exclosures

• Cover Frequency

• Parker 3-Step

• Production (clipping)

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SummarySummarySummarySummarySummarySummarySummarySummary• Provides a record of

management and environmental conditions

• Assesses system responses to those conditions

• Measures progress toward objectives

• Basis for decision making

• Provides a record of management and


• Assesses system responses to those conditions

• Measures progress toward objectives

• Basis for decision making

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Questions

Or

Comments

Questions

Or

Comments

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NOTES

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NOTES

RANGELAND MONITORING RANGELAND MONITORING

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